JP2005246901A - Cleaning means for dust-proof glass - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning means for a dust-proof glass capable of attempting to make a cleaning member compact and making pressure distribution during cleaning constant. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus mounting a scanning type optical device in which the dust-proof glass is provided on an optical box or on a lid sealing the optical box, is characterized in that a transmitting face of the dust-proof glass intersects an irradiating light to an image carrying body at an angle being not a right angle and has an angle being different from being horizontal, the image forming apparatus has the cleaning means for cleaning the transmitting face of the dust-proof glass, the cleaning means comprises a pad-like cleaning part and a holding part for holding the cleaning means, and the holding part is rotatably connected to the cleaning part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a printer, and more particularly to a dustproof glass cleaning unit provided in a scanning optical apparatus.

  Conventional techniques will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows an image forming apparatus that prints a color image, and has a photosensitive drum 20 for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The photosensitive drum 20 is obtained by applying a photosensitive layer to a conductor, and forms an electrostatic latent image with laser light emitted from a scanning optical device. 21 is a scanning optical device that irradiates a laser beam based on image information sent from an image reading device or a personal computer (not shown), and 22 is a toner that is frictionally charged on the photosensitive drum 20 and toner on the photosensitive drum 20. A developing unit for forming an image, 23 is an intermediate transfer belt for conveying the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 to a transfer sheet, 24 is a paper feed cassette for storing the sheet on which the toner image is formed, and 25 is transferred onto the sheet. A fixing device 26 adsorbs the toner image to the paper by heat, and a paper discharge tray 26 on which the fixed transfer paper is stacked.

  The image formation forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 charged by the charger 27 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 20 with light emitted from the scanning optical device 21 based on image information. Thereafter, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 by adhering the frictionally charged toner in the developing unit 22 to the electrostatic latent image. The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 onto the intermediate transfer belt 23, and the toner image is transferred again to the paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 24 provided at the lower part of the main body, whereby the image is formed on the paper. . The image transferred onto the paper is fixed with toner by the fixing device 25 and is loaded on the paper discharge tray. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the image forming unit of FIG.

  The scanning optical device in the figure includes a polygon mirror 29 that deflects and scans laser light emitted based on image information, fθ lenses 30a and 30b that perform laser beam constant-speed scanning and spot imaging on a drum, and a predetermined beam. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 through the folding mirror 31 that reflects in the direction. This scanning optical device is vulnerable to dust and dirt, and if a part of the laser light path is contaminated, the image on the image corresponding to the dirt may be lost or the amount of toner on the image may be insufficient. Such a problem has arisen. Therefore, conventionally, measures have been taken to prevent entry of dust by sealing between the optical box 33 storing each optical component and the lid 34 with maltoprene or the like.

  However, along with the downsizing of the machine body, the scanning optical device is also located closer to the photosensitive drum than before, and the scanning optical device is located below the drum due to the arrangement of the component parts. Has come to be placed. However, in the case where the scanning optical device is irradiated on the photosensitive drum from the lower side, and in the case where the scanning optical device is irradiated near the drum, toner scattering, developing device, photosensitive drum, The toner falls from the cleaner or the like.

  Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 10, in order to avoid contamination of the optical component, dust is prevented from entering the optical case by attaching a dustproof glass 32 to the laser beam emitting portion. Here, the dust-proof glass is attached with a certain inclination with respect to the irradiation light in order to prevent regular reflection of the scanning light on the glass surface.

  By providing the dust-proof glass in the scanning optical device, it is possible to prevent contamination of the optical components in the optical case against scattered toner and falling toner in the machine body. However, the dust-proof glass 32 is prevented by the scattered toner and falling toner. When it becomes dirty over time, there is no means other than cleaning the dust-proof glass 32. As a countermeasure for this, conventionally, when an image defect occurs or periodically, a dust-proof glass surface is used with a cleaning member such as a cleaning pad. Cleaning methods have been used. Further, the following inventions have been proposed in order to make it difficult for the falling / scattering toner to accumulate on the dust-proof glass surface.

  In an image forming apparatus in which laser light is incident from below the photosensitive member, an eaves-like member is provided immediately above the laser light emitting portion in the scanning optical device (see Patent Document 1).

  In an image forming apparatus in which an optical writing unit is provided below the photoconductor, a removable dustproof cover is provided on the dustproof glass portion of the laser light exit to prevent foreign matters such as dust from adhering to the dustproof cover. A cleaning member is inserted into and cleaned (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-230640 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-267983

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, there is provided means for cleaning the dust-proof glass surface of the scanning optical device when an image defect occurs, but the cleaning method is to form a cleaning member with a cleaning pad attached to the tip. It has been cleaned by inserting it from the side surface of the apparatus, bringing it into contact with the glass surface and reciprocating the cleaning member in the longitudinal direction.

  However, in such a conventional cleaning method, the cleaning member becomes large because the cleaning means is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the dust-proof glass. In the configuration in which laser light is irradiated to a plurality of photosensitive drums by a single scanning optical device as shown in the conventional example, it is arranged at a position facing the polygon mirror in order to suppress scanning line bending. In addition, each dustproof glass is provided at a different angle. This is because the amount of displacement in the sub-scanning direction differs in the main scanning direction because the distance that the laser light passes through the dust-proof glass differs in the main scanning direction. Therefore, the amount of bending is suppressed by setting the dust-proof glass to an angle that is symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis of the polygon mirror. When dust-proof glass arranged at different angles in this way is to be cleaned with the same cleaning member, the holding part of the cleaning member must be rotated corresponding to the glass surface, and the operability during cleaning is not good. There was also a problem from the viewpoint of pressure distribution on the dust-proof glass surface during cleaning.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of betting is to provide a dustproof glass cleaning means that can reduce the size of the cleaning member and can maintain a constant pressure distribution during cleaning. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in an image forming apparatus equipped with a scanning optical device having dust-proof glass in an optical box or a lid that seals the optical box, the transmission surface of the dust-proof glass is orthogonal to the irradiation light on the image carrier. The image forming apparatus has a cleaning means for cleaning the transmission surface of the dust-proof glass, and the cleaning means includes a pad-shaped cleaning portion and a cleaning means. It comprises a holding part for holding, and the holding part is rotatably joined to the cleaning part.

  According to the present invention, when dust-proof glass having an inclination with respect to the vertical direction is to be cleaned, the dust-proof glass provided in the scanning optical device is cleaned from the upper surface portion by using the cleaning means that can rotate the holding portion. By doing so, the cleaning member can be made compact and the pressure distribution during cleaning can be made constant. The pressure distribution can also be made constant by fitting and cleaning grooves formed on both sides of the cleaning member in a guide member for suppressing scattering and falling toner onto the dustproof glass.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
1 and 2 show a scanning optical device and a dust-proof glass cleaning member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In the figure, 1 is an optical box for storing a laser light source, a rotating polygon mirror that deflects and scans laser light, and a plurality of imaging lenses, 2 is a lid that seals the optical box, and 3 is a laser beam that passes through the photosensitive drum. And a dust-proof glass 4 that protects the scanning optical device from dust, and 4 is a cleaning member for cleaning the glass surface when the dust-proof glass is contaminated by scattered / falling toner, as shown in FIG. It consists of multiple parts.

  The cleaning member according to the present invention includes a cleaning arm 5 for holding the cleaning member during cleaning and a cleaning unit 6 for cleaning the dust-proof glass surface, and the cleaning unit 6 is a pad holder for holding a cleaning pad. 7 and a cleaning pad 8.

  Here, the cleaning pad 8 has a configuration in which a koji cloth is wound around maltoprene, and is a mechanism for wiping dust such as dust and toner deposited on the dust-proof glass with the knot cloth. At the time of cleaning, the cleaner holds the cleaning arm and cleans the surface of the dust-proof glass by moving the cleaning member in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The cleaning arm 5 and the cleaning unit 6 are rotatably attached at the joint, and the cleaning unit 6 can freely adjust the angle. Therefore, when the dust-proof glass has a certain inclination, the cleaning unit 6 rotates and contacts the glass surface, so that the cleaning arm 5 can always maintain the vertical direction without depending on the angle of the glass surface. .

  Further, since the rotation direction of the cleaning member is orthogonal to the cleaning direction, the angle at which the cleaning unit 6 is in contact with the cleaning member is not changed when moving in the cleaning direction.

  As shown in this configuration, when the glass surface is cleaned from the upper surface of the dust-proof glass using a cleaning member, the cleaning unit is configured to be rotatable with respect to the cleaning arm, and the rotation direction is orthogonal to the cleaning direction. By providing in the direction to perform, the cleaning member can be made compact and the pressure distribution during cleaning can be made constant.

<Embodiment 2>
3 and 4 show a scanning optical apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment are omitted.

  A dust-proof guide 9 is attached to the dust-proof glass portion provided in the scanning optical device so that the falling / scattering toner in the apparatus is difficult to accumulate on the dust-proof glass. The dust-proof guide 9 has an opening for irradiation light deflected and scanned by a scanning optical device, and a rib-shaped guide is formed in a region other than the opening.

  The dust-proof guide according to the present embodiment has a substantial area in the vicinity of the opening so that the toner falling / scattering from the image forming unit is difficult to accumulate and the toner deposited on the lid of the scanning optical device is easily slipped off. However, even when the dustproof guide 9 is provided in a scanning optical device, it is necessary to have an opening for irradiating light to the photosensitive drum. It is difficult to avoid toner accumulation on the transmission surface.

  In the present invention, as a means for cleaning dust such as toner accumulated on the transmission surface of the dustproof glass, the cleaning member 10 is inserted from the insertion opening provided at the end of the dustproof guide as shown in FIG. . The cleaning member in the figure is the same as the cleaning member described in the first embodiment, and has a configuration in which the joint between the support portion and the cleaning portion is rotatable.

  The cleaning member is inserted into a space surrounded by the dustproof guide and the dustproof glass, and moves on the dustproof glass surface in the X direction in the drawing. The opening of the dustproof guide has substantially the same width as the holding part of the cleaning member, and when the cleaning member moves on the transmission surface of the dustproof glass, the holding part of the cleaning member is in the vertical direction. Here, the opening of the dust-proof guide does not necessarily have to be vertical, and the same effect can be obtained by tilting in accordance with the angle of the irradiation light.

  In the case of cleaning a tilted dust-proof glass surface with the configuration of the present embodiment, the effect of protecting the dust-proof glass from falling / scattering toner is enhanced by minimizing the opening, and the deposited toner is improved in operability. In addition, cleaning can be performed with a constant pressure distribution on the cleaning surface.

<Embodiment 3>
5 and 6 show a scanning optical apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Note that portions that are the same as those described in the first and second embodiments are omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows a dust-proof guide 11 for protecting the falling / scattering toner from being deposited on the dust-proof glass provided in the scanning optical device so as not to be accumulated, and a cleaning member 12 for cleaning the dust-proof glass transmitting surface. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a corresponding portion.

  The cleaning member in the figure has the same structure as the cleaning member described in the first embodiment, and has a structure in which the joint portion between the support portion and the cleaning portion is rotatable. In the present embodiment, grooves are formed on both sides of the holding portion of the cleaning member and inserted into the opening provided in the dust-proof guide, thereby suppressing the vertical displacement of the cleaning member during cleaning, and the dust-proof glass surface Cleaning can be performed within a certain pressure distribution range.

  Here, by providing an elastic member in the groove portion of the cleaning member or the opening portion of the dustproof guide, the effect can be further obtained if the pressure distribution is made constant by bringing the cleaning member into pressure contact with the dustproof glass surface. Alternatively, the pressure distribution may be made constant by lowering the opening of the dust-proof guide and making pressure contact with the dust-proof glass surface using the spring property of the dust-proof guide. As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning member may also have a configuration in which the second rotating portion is configured outside the dust-proof guide and the angle of the holding portion can be freely set.

  When cleaning a dustproof glass surface having an inclination according to the configuration of the present embodiment, a groove is formed in the holding portion of the cleaning member and inserted into the opening of the dustproof guide, so that the pressure distribution on the dustproof glass surface during cleaning Can be cleaned stably.

  The present invention is useful as a dustproof glass cleaning means provided in a scanning optical device of an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or printer.

It is a figure explaining the scanning optical apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the cleaning member of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the dustproof guide structure of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the cleaning structure of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the cleaning part of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the dustproof guide and cleaning member of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the cleaning part of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining the conventional scanning optical apparatus. It is a figure explaining the dustproof glass part of the conventional scanning optical apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical box 2 Lid 3 Dust-proof glass 4 Cleaning member 5 Cleaning arm 6 Cleaning part 7 Pad holder 8 Cleaning pad 9 Dust-proof guide 10 Cleaning member 11 Dust-proof guide 12 Cleaning member 20 Photosensitive drum 21 Scanning optical apparatus 22 Developer 23 Intermediate transfer belt 24 Paper Feed Cassette 25 Fixing Device 26 Paper Discharge Tray 27 Cleaner 29 Polygon Mirrors 30a, 30b fθ Lens 31 Folding Mirror 32 Dustproof Glass 33 Optical Box 34 Lid

Claims (6)

  In an image forming apparatus equipped with a scanning optical device having dust-proof glass in an optical box or a lid that seals the optical box, the transmission surface of the dust-proof glass intersects at an angle that is not orthogonal to the irradiation light to the image carrier. The image forming apparatus has a cleaning unit for cleaning the transmission surface of the dust-proof glass, and the cleaning unit includes a pad-shaped cleaning unit and a holding unit for holding the cleaning unit. And the holding part is rotatably joined to the cleaning part.   2. The dust-cleaning glass cleaning means according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning direction by the cleaning means is a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the holding portion is rotatable with respect to the cleaning portion.   The scanning optical device has a guide member formed on the dust-proof glass portion so as to cover a transmission surface excluding irradiation light, and the cleaning member moves in a space constituted by the guide member and the dust-proof glass. The dust-cleaning glass cleaning means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rotation direction of the cleaning means is regulated by the guide member.   The scanning optical device has a plurality of dust-proof glasses, and the dust-proof glasses have at least two kinds of angles, and the plurality of dust-proof glasses are cleaned by one cleaning means. Item 4. A dustproof glass cleaning means according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   In an image forming apparatus equipped with a scanning optical device having dust-proof glass in an optical box or a lid that seals the optical box, the transmission surface of the dust-proof glass intersects at an angle that is not orthogonal to the irradiation light to the image carrier. Cleaning means for cleaning the dust-proof glass transmission surface while having a guide member formed so as to cover the transmission surface of the dust-proof glass except the irradiation light in the scanning optical device having an angle different from the horizontal The cleaning means includes a pad-shaped cleaning portion and a holding portion for holding the cleaning means. The holding portion has a groove portion and is rotatably joined to the cleaning portion, and the holding portion is the guide. A dust-cleaning glass cleaning means that moves while being sandwiched between a member and a groove. ]
6. The dust-proof glass cleaning means according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning member acts on the dust-proof glass with a constant pressing force by having an elastic member between the guide member and the holding portion of the cleaning member. .

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